Random Seating Chart

Behold! What might be my best programming accomplishment yet: something that other people have found value in. I call it 'RANDOM SEATING CHART'. It, um, does exactly what it sounds like. I'm not terribly creative with names, apparently.

So you have a roster of your class somewhere, presumably in a spreadsheet form. If not, put it in a Google Sheet (each class should get its own tab). Title the column with the student names "Student" (NO SPACES AT THE END. That caused problems with someone who tried this). Then...that's it.

Here is the script in a Google Doc:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11oRDRoSPXE1jx4baDMfE0wbsfNF46Tk-s3M4UibueMU/edit?usp=sharing

Here are instructions for how to install a script into a Google Sheet (for a different script, but you can figure it out. I have faith in you) and assign it to a clickable button:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XqpwlkPN0r5JjXmTVsx9ctINa22-_x8bw_c4WDKt0kE/pub

Install the script and run it (I like to add a button with the script linked to it) and it'll randomize the students, then put them into a "seating chart" of whatever width and height you determine. The current version I'm running has it fill in the students vertically:

1 X X X
2 X X X
3 X X X
4 X X X
5 X X 
6 X X 

This is good for partner work, and you just determine how many groups you want, and it'll do the rest. Since the output is a new tab (format: "[Roster Tab Name] - Chart") in a spreadsheet, you can copy and paste to move students around if you need it. 

It also zebrastripes the output, making it easier to read and resizes each column to fit exactly the student's names.

Each time you run it you'll have to say how many rows you want (ideally, the number of groups), then the number of columns (and it will tell you how many you will need minimum to fit all students), then let you determine the size of the font output you want. You'll have to play around with it to figure out what's a good way to display it, whether its for you or for the students to see.

A good use of this is if you are calling on students. Make a 'seating chart' of the class just for yourself with it, then just work your way across and down the list. You're now random in who you are calling on, and you have the ability to skip over people that aren't there or you can't call on for any other reason.